Low Carbon: Council refuse policy defies city residents

A survey shows most residents across the borough are supportive but a slim majority in the former Chester City Council area would prefer to continue with weekly collections for general non-recyclable waste.

The Tory-controlled Cheshire West and Chester Council has just agreed there will be a borough wide waste collection contract from 2012 which aims to save £1.5m a year.

It means general waste will be collected fortnightly - along with recyclables - instead of every week as currently. But there will be weekly collections of kitchen waste in special containers to address concerns about smell and hygiene.

The outcome is in line with a residents' survey of the whole borough which showed 60% in favour of fortnightly collections of general waste.

A break-down of the figures reveals a large majority of residents from the former Ellesmere Port and Vale Royal council areas, who already operate the system, are supportive but in Chester a slim majority (51%) would prefer to continue with a weekly collection.

Now eight firms will be invited to bid for the multi million pound contract.

Cllr Lynn Riley (Con, Weaver), executive member for community and environment, told councillors the waste contract was 'a significant harmonisation' exercise for the council. Aims were to provide customer satisfaction, high recycling rates, financial savings and a reduction in the carbon footprint.

Cllr Riley was delighted there had been 21,000 responses to the consultation. She added: "We believe we can drive something like £1.5m out of the existing collection cost."